Canberra Raiders' close NRL games don't come down to final five minutes

Canberra five-eighth Blake Austin says the Raiders' horror record in tight NRL contests can't be put down to their performance at the end of games. Austin says their video review focused on incidents earlier in the game.

"There were plenty of good things in that game but, unfortunately, we let a couple of errors creep in and we lost control of the possession stat again. The last five or six minutes wasn't exactly where we lost the match on the weekend. So, when we go over everything with a fine comb, we've got to make sure we get every moment in the game."

We lost that Titans game from the 20-60 minute mark. They gifted us a mountain of ball early on, we capitalised on it and then we completely lost the plot. Discipline went out the window and we got our arses handed to us.

The Knights are a much better team than the Titans. This game could get messy.

Canberra Raiders prop Shannon Boyd on the hunt after becoming a father

There might be a baby Boyd in the house, but it's not going to stop Canberra Raiders enforcer Shannon Boyd from going pig hunting and fishing.

"It's been pretty exciting and good to have a little boy. He's about 10½ pounds, he was a pretty big boy when he was born," Boyd said. "It's good to go home and have a little baby there and something to look forward to ... it doesn't change anything. It's just been enjoyable."

Canberra Raiders place extra focus on breaks ahead of Newcastle Knights game

Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua says starting well after every break will be a focus against the Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

"That's a key for thing for us - starting well every time there's a break on. If we get that right we can stay in front and keep the lead," he said. "It's the whole team's job, not just the halves, everyone's job. We've got to make sure we close the game out when we're in front."

With his mother and siblings in the stands, the Canberra Raiders want to do it for Kato Ottio and his family.

"It's going to be a really emotional game for us when we get out there," Joey Leilua said. "I know the boys will put that aside when the whistle blows and use it as a good source [of motivation] for our game. There's going to be times there where we're going to be thinking about him on the field, but we've got to focus on getting the win and do it for Kato and his family.

Canberra Raiders place extra focus on breaks ahead of Newcastle Knights game

Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua says starting well after every break will be a focus against the Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

"That's a key for thing for us - starting well every time there's a break on. If we get that right we can stay in front and keep the lead," he said. "It's the whole team's job, not just the halves, everyone's job. We've got to make sure we close the game out when we're in front."

No, you must name two players to be omitted 24 hours prior to kick off. And omit a further two players one hour before kick off. So no rules broken. It is up to you whether you keep two, or one, or none in reserve for firsts. But most coaches keep at least one in reserve for emergencies. That's why I don't buy the rumour on twitter about Rapana. Stuart would keep at least another in reserve for a last minute emergency.